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Ross Cameron Hart
Hart & Hart Attorneys Ltd
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Biography
I was born and grew up in the area - my family has served the legal needs of the area since 1892, over 120 years. My goal is to explain the legal process in plain English and to avoid the 'technical lawyer words' which only confuse many people. The primary focus of my firm is now "Elder Law" which broadly includes estate planning, Nursing Home admissions and Medicaid applications and adult guardianship. After a family member dies, we advise and assist in the estate administration process. In short, we help families plan and deal with aging and death and navigating the legal system.
Practice Areas
- Elder Law
- Probate
- Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
- Estate Planning
- Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
Fees
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Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
We charge a modest consultation fee which is less than half of the normal hourly rate for professional services. Our consultation usually takes an hour and frequently provides advice and information that the individual can use immediately. The fee for continued services is discussed at the consultation.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Virginia
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- 4th Circuit
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Languages
- English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
- Owner/President
- Hart & Hart Attorneys Ltd
- - Current
- Family firm begun by my grandfather and his brother (Hon. John L. Hart) in 1892
Education
- University of Virginia School of Law
- J.D. (1976)
- -
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- Monmouth College
- B.A. (1973) | Business Adm
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Awards
- SuperLawyer
- SuperLawyers
- First listed as SuperLawyer in 2019 and annually since. Recognition of top 5% of lawyers in field of law
- Chapter Member of Year
- Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (VAELA)
- VAELA is a group of around 200 lawyers focusing on Elder Law; award recognizes member of chapter who contributes time, expertise, etc. for the chapter and other members.
- Pro-bono Award, 2008 (23rd Circuit)
- Virginia State Bar
- Award for pro-bono (low income clients)
Professional Associations
- NAELA
- MEMBER
- - Current
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- Virginia Academy Elder Law Attorneys
- Director
- - Current
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- Salem/Roanoke County Bar Ass'n
- Member
- - Current
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- Virginia State Bar
- Member
- - Current
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Websites & Blogs
- Website
- Hart & Hart Attorneys Ltd.
Legal Answers
162 Questions Answered
- Q. Remove my name from house deed with mortgage in VA
- A: Mr. Sternberg is correct - you need to consult an Elder Law attorney before you do something foolish. To find one, you can go to the Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (VAELA) website - www.vaela.org - and find several near you. The system indicates that you're in Northern Virginia - there are a lot of very good lawyers in VAELA in your area.
Click on the Find A Lawyer button, and use your zip code to find those close to you. You can click on their names and see their website if you want to know more about them before you call.
- Q. If I want to buy a property in Virginia to rent out, do I need a Virginia LLC or am I ok with a Wyoming or Delaware LLC?
- A: Mr. Sternberg is correct - you have three choices: 1) own it in your own name; 2) own it in your Wyoming LLC AND register that LLC in Virginia (for about the same cost as forming one) or 3) form a Virginia LLC and own it with that.
Some gratuitous advice: many years ago a real estate developer told me "Never own property you can't drive by and look at once a week'. Many times over the years since that advice has proven correct by issues my clients have had.
- Q. Virginia Estate distribution to heirs:there were 3 siblings, no other family, spouse or children. That is a 33.3% split
- A: Your question is not clear; I see two possibilities.
1) Parent (P) dies without a will, no spouse surviving. P had three children (A, B & C) ; one of the three children (C) died leaving three children of their own (M, N & O). A & B each get 1/3 of the estate; M, N & O get 1/3 divided among them, or 1/9 each.
2) Only A, B & C as above; C dies leaving M, N & O. M, N & O divide C's estate at 1/3 each; A & B don't get anything.
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